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Oklahoma State football: Joseph Randle has not made a decision about NFL Draft

Randle says leaving OSU with a degree is important, and he enjoys being a college student

By Gina Mizell •
Published: November 26, 2012

BEDLAM FOOTBALL: Joseph Randle (1) runs during the Bedlam college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

In 2011, no running backs were selected until Mark Ingram with the 28th overall pick. In 2010, however, three backs — C.J. Spiller (No. 9 overall), Ryan Matthews (12th) and Jahvid Best (30th) — were taken in the first round.

Randle is currently rated by ESPN's Scouts Inc. as a borderline third-round prospect, and the seventh-best running back in the 2013 draft class. North Carolina's Giovani Bernard is the highest-rated back as a second round prospect, while Michigan State's Le'veon Bell, Wisconsin's Montee Ball, Clemson's Andre Ellington, Alabama's Ed Lacy and Arkansas' Dennis Johnson are all ranked ahead of Randle.

Discussions with family will clearly contribute to Randle's decision to stay in Stillwater for one more season or move on to the next level.

So will his desire to finish his education. Randle recently switched his major from engineering to economics, which would allow him to graduate next December.

“I don't want to leave here without nothing,” said Randle, referring to his degree. “That's something I always think about.”

He also simply enjoys being a Cowboy and a “normal” college student.

“I'm having the time of my life right now,” Randle said.

Still, Randle realizes he'll have a choice to make in the coming months.

He's not shy about sharing that playing in the NFL has been his dream since he started playing football as a young boy. He also firmly believes the OSU offense would be fine without him next season, and that Smith would thrive as the Cowboys' No. 1 back.